GMP leveraging stored energy to lower power costs during heat wave

GMP leveraging stored energy to lower power costs during heat wave

Vermont Business Magazine Forecasters are predicting record high temperatures and GMP is turning to stored energy to reduce demand on the grid. There is a network of Tesla Powerwall batteries in Vermonters’ homes, stored solar power from GMP’s Stafford Hill Solar Facility in Rutland, and GMP’s new battery storage project in Panton. All combined that’s enough to power about 5,000 homes during the peak.

“We know our customers are environmentally conscious and make smart choices about their energy use every day. In this heat wave, our customers’ safety and comfort is key. We are so glad to be able to leverage innovation like battery storage to bring down costs for customers and keep them comfortable and safe,” said Josh Castonguay, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at GMP. “Our growing network of stored energy is allowing us to use technology, in partnership with our customers, to deliver innovative solutions today.”

So far, Vermonters have installed nearly 500 Powerwall batteries in their homes. They provide backup power, like a generator, but are fueled either by customers’ own solar arrays or off the grid and GMP’s power sources are 90% carbon free. They provide clean, convenient backup power during outages, and GMP can share access to stored energy to pull down power demand at key times like today and use stored energy to drive down costs for all customers.

GMP is also reminding customers to be safe in all waterways if they’re trying too cool off, especially in public areas around hydro-electric facilities. Pay attention to signs, boat barriers and other markers because water levels, flow and currents can change quickly.

Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with customers to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. In 2014, Vote Solar named GMP a Solar Champion. More information at: www.greenmountainpower.com. Connect with GMP on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GreenMtnPower.